Crosscare..Innovation & Action for Social Change

TRAVELLER INCLUSION

CROSSCARE's Traveller programme promotes the inclusion of Travellers in Irish society by acting in soldarity with Traveller organisations and by working in partnership with statutory agencies within the area of the Dublin Diocese.

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Who are we?

The Dogmatic Constitution On The Church, LUMEN GENTIUM, describes the Church as being “ordered and governed with a wonderful diversity”, of a people who share a common dignity in Christ. It states,

“There is, therefore, in Christ and in the Church no inequality on the basis of race or nationality, social condition or sex, … For you are all 'one' in Christ Jesus”. (193 Gal. 3, 28; cf. Col. 3, 11.)

In 1985, the bishops of Ireland said that Irish Travellers are the most discriminated against group in Irish society . In the archdiocese of Dublin , the CROSSCARE Traveller programme was established shortly thereafter to move towards a society that celebrates its diversity - one that includes Irish Travellers? In solidarity with Traveller groups and in partnership with the statutory agencies, the Traveller Programme holds that “ All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” (Act 1 Universal Declaration of Human Rights).

In July 2003, the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Travelling People at its Fifth World Conference in Budapest drew attention to the following rights:

A place of abode
The recognition of nomadism as a voluntary way of life.
Freedom of movement within one’s country and abroad
Access to basic education
Access to health and social welfare

In that year, there were over 5000 Traveller families in Ireland and in excess of 1300 of them living in the Dublin diocese. More than 316 Travelling families in the Dublin diocese had no accommodation.

Programme Aims

The full recognition of the right for Travellers to have their identity and nomadic traditions provided for.
Practical strategies to enable Travellers to participate fully in the life of their local community with the ability to keep their own identity. Integration rather than assimilation is the way forward.
The provision of permanent and transient accommodation for Travellers.
The provision of Traveller education that is fully integrated from early childhood to adult life.

Pursuing these aims, the Traveller programme responds to persistent and emerging needs:

Persistent Needs

Raising awareness of lack of accommodation – Mapping developments in accommodation
Supporting Change through Education – Celebrating Difference - Intercultural Awareness and Prejudice Reduction

Emerging Needs

Supporting Traveller led initiatives – Finglas Traveller Forum, TESO, SMTCA, ITM Legal Unit, TSWG
Participation and Partnership – managing interagency initiatives
Access to health care – mental health (Suicide Prevention)
Integration into local parishes - Pastoral Care Guideines

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The Red House Clonliffe College Dublin 3 Ireland Tel: 01 836 0011 Fax: 01 836 7166
Email: info@crosscare.ie